Method for fabricating trusses in upright position



April 22, 9 A. c. SANFORD 3,439,607

METHOD FOR FABRICATING TRUS SES IN UPRIGHT POSITION Original Filed July26, 1966 Sheet of 7 FIG.!

1NVENTOR." ARTHUR CAROL SANFORD.

ATTORNEYS A ril 22, 1969.

A. C. SANFQRD METHOD FOR FABRICATING TRUSSES IN UPRIGHT POSITIONGriginal Filed July 26, 1966 7' Sheet 2 or? m 6E a 0N kw mm vw Om mm vINVENTOR.

ARTHUR CAROL SANFORD- BY 7 2; a Z

lll llll ATTORNEYS 'A rnz-z, 1969 A .c'.'sANFoRD' 3,

METHOD FOR FABRICATING TRUSSES IN UPRIGHT POSITION Original Filed July26, 1.966 Sheet .5 of '7 G-' I INVENTOR.

' ARTHUR CAROL SANFORD l L. L J BY 7 v ATTORNEYS April 22, 1969 A. c.SANFORD METHOD FOR FABRICATING TRUSSES IN UPRIGH'I' POSITION OriginalFiled July 26, 1966 INVENTOR. ARTHUR CAROL. SANFORD BY flwmv M FIGJOATTORNEYS METHOD FOR FABRICATING TRUSSES IN UPRIGHT POSITION OriginalFiled July 26, 1966 A ril 22, 1969 A. c. SANFORD Sheet D R Rm mN a n, w9 E N N R 0 A T a T R m A W T R/fl Y B n9 .vrll

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P 1969 A. c. SANFORD I 3,439,607

METHOD FOR FABRICATING TRUSSES IN UPRIGHT POSITION Original Filed July26, 1966 Sheet -6- of 7 INVENTOR. ARTHUR CAROL SANFORD ATTORNEYS April22, 1969 A. c. SANFORD 3,439,607

METHOD FOR FABRICATING TRUSSES IN UPRIGHT POSITION Original Filed July26, 1966 Sheet 7 of 7 ARTHUR CAROL SANFORD BY]?! g K ATTORNEYS FIG. 4 QI I INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,439,607 METHOD FOR FABRICATING TRUSSES IN UPRIGHTPOSITION Arthur Carol Sanford, Palm Beach, Fla. {P.O. Box 1177, PompanoBeach, Fla. 33062) Original application July 26, 1966, Ser. No. 567,991,now Patent No. 3,390,628, dated July 2, 1968. Divided and thisapplication Feb. 15, 1968, Ser. No. 724,656

Int. Cl. B30b 13/00; B25c 7/00 US. Cl. 10035 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE The fabrication of triangular trusses having wood componentsconnected together in one plane by toothed connector plates on oppositesides of each-joint by support ing the truss components in a verticalplane and then passing a roller press thereover applying pressure toopposite sides of the truss components to fully embed the connectorplates therein. The truss is fabricated with the normally bottom chordsupported in horizontal position, and the normally top inclined chordcomponents adjustably supported for varying the angle therebetween.

This application is a division of my prior copending application Ser.No. 567,991, filed July 26, 1966 now Patent No. 3,390,628 which wasissued July 2, 1968.

The present invention relates generally to the fabrication of woodentrusses, and more particularly wooden trusses having their components inone plane and joined together by toothed metal connector plates appliedto both sides of each joint between the truss components. The plateshave a multiplicity of teeth which are fully embedded into the wood,thus distributing the stress at each joint over the entire areas of thetwo plates to make a strong joint.

In all prior methods, of which I am aware, for fabricating such trusses,the truss components are laid out on a horizontal table or tables andthe plates applied to the joints. The plates may be tacked by hand onone side of the truss, the truss turned over and plates tacked on theother side, and then the plates fully embedded by successivelypositioning the joints under a stamping press or passing the trussthrough a pair of horizontal press rolls.

Other conventional methods comprise providing a plurality ofsimultaneously actuated stamping presses, to apply top and bottom platesto each joint and avoid turning over the entire truss, and my priorPatent No. 3,212,694 shows a truss fabricating machine in which atraveling or gantry roller passes over the top of horizontally assembledtruss components and plates to partially set the teeth of the top andbottom plates into the wood, the partially constructed truss being thenpassed between a pair of horizontal press rolls to fully embed theteeth. Obviously, these conventional methods not only require expensiveequipment, especially in respect to a plurality of stamping or rollingpresses, but they also require a large amount of floor space for layingout and handling the trusses and having access to various parts thereof.In the method using roller presses, additional floor space is needed forpassing the partially constructed trusses through the stationary pair ofpress rolls to complete the embedment of the plates.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel method forfabricating trusses in vertical or upright position so as to require aminimum of floor space and to provide a maximum of accessibility to allparts of the truss.

Another object is to provide a novel method wherein "Ice the connectorplates are fully embedded by a single pass of press rolls thereover.

A further object is to provide a novel method for vertically suspendingassembled truss components in such manner as to permit a pair of pressrolls to pass thereover on oppoite sides of the suspended truss andembed connector plates on opposite sides of the joints.

Another object is to provide improved means for adjustably supportingassembled truss components in vertical position in various spans andpitches.

These and other objects are accomplished by the improvements comprisingthe present invention, as set forth in detail in the followingdescription and accompanying drawings, and defined in the appendedclaims. Variations and modifications are included within the scope ofthe claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of apparatus forcarrying out the invention, showing a truss suspended therein in uprightposition.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a finished truss.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view as on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevation, similar to FIG. 1, of one of the backuppads on the top of the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an end elevation on line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view on line 7-7 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a plan view on line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation, partly broken away andin section, showing one of the bottom fluid clamping devices.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view on line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a similar view showing the parts before clamping and beforethe plates are embedded.

FIG. 12 is a side elevation of another embodiment of apparatus forcarrying out the invention, showing an upright truss suspended ininverted position relative to FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation similar to FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged end elevation on line 14-14 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view on line 15-15 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view on line 1'616 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary plan view on line 1717 of FIG. 12.

Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11, the suspending frame or jigfor supporting the truss components in upright or vertical positionpreferably comprises vertical end posts 20, which may be of I-beam crosssection as shown, resting an a suitable foundation 19. A pair oflaterally spaced guide posts 20* is provided at each of the frame, andthe inner extended flanges 21 of two back-toback angles 22 slidably abutthe inner flanges of each pair of posts 20. The inner flanges 21 arespaced apart a distance such as to space their outer surfaces 1% inchesapart for a purpose to be described.

A longitudinal T-shaped beam member 23 extends along the top of theframe between the pairs of angles 22, and the ends 24' of verticalflange 24 of member 23 extend between and are secured to the flanges 21of angles 22, as by welding. As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, backup pads25 are longitudinally slidably mounted on the beam 23. Preferably, theflange 24 has longitudinal guide rails 26 secured along opposite sidesof its bottom portion, and the upwardly extending side flanges 27 of thepad straddle the rails 26 and have inner filler bars 28 resting on theupper edges of rails 26.

Flanged studs 29 are screwed to the bottoms of pads and dependtherefrom, each stud having a sharp spike projecting downwardlytherefrom, for embedding into and temporarily supporting the bottomchord 31 of a wooden truss being assembled in inverted upright positionin the frame. The backup pads 25 are slidable longitudinally along theguide rails 26 to accommodate truss chords of various lengths, and thetransverse overall dimension of the pads 25 and flanges 29 is 1 /2inches.

The means for vertically adjustably supporting the T-shaped beam member23 comprises an upright fluid cylinder C adjacent each pair of guideposts 20, having the upper end of its piston rod R secured to the bottomof the angles 22, as shown in FIG. 7, for raising and lowering the beam.

A pair of inclined support bars 32, having their inner ends hingedtogether at 32' and their outer ends 34 extending between the frameangles 22, is provided for supporting the top chords 33 of the woodentruss being assembled in inverted position. The outer ends 34 of bars 32have a plurality of notches 35 in their lower edges for adjustablysupporting the bars on transverse pins 36 extending between the flanges21, to accommodate various spans and pitches of trusses.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, backup fluid cylinders 37 are carried atintervals along the bars 32, the piston 38 of each cylinder having anouter flange 39 and a spike 40 projecting upwardly therefrom. Theflanges 39 are adapted for abutting the top chords 33 of a truss beingassembled, and the spikes 40 are adapted to penetrate the wood fortemporarily holding the chords in place.

The cylinders 37 are mounted on the bars 32 by top and bottom flanges 42and 43 abutting the bars 32 and connected together by tie plates 44extending between the side plates 45 of the bars 32. Spacer blocks 46may be connected between the side plates 45 at intervals between thebackup cylinders 37. The backup cylinders 37 are preferably slidablyadjustable along the bars 32, and may be held in adjusted position byset screws 47 (FIG. 10). Flexible conduits 48 supply pressure fluid tothe cylinders 37.

It is important to note that the overall transverse dimensions of thebackup cylinders, the mounting flanges 42 and 43 and abutment flanges 39are 1 /2 inches, slightly less than the transverse dimension of thetruss chords.

in assembling a truss of 2 x 4 wood components in the novel apparatus,said components being a standard 1% inches in thickness, the supportingbars 32 are positioned with the proper notches 35 engaging pins 36 togive the desired pitch. The supporting piston rods R are preferablylowered to lower the frame to a practical working height, and for thispurpose a depression D may be provided in the foundation 19. The chords33 are then placed on the bars and tacked in place by tapping the chordswith a hammer above the spikes 40. The top chord is then tacked in placeon the spikes 30 of the upper backup pads 25. The The toothed connectorplates 50 may then be tacked to opposite sides of the heel joints.

Next, the pre-cut strut members 51 and 52 are positioned between theupper and lower chords and the connector plates 53, 54 and 55 tacked toopposite sides of the joints. If desired, the strut members 51 and 52may be pre-assembled in pairs by tacking the plates to opposite sides ofthe joints before inserting them between the top and bottom chords.

In either event, after all the components are tacked in place in themanner indicated in FIG. 11, piston rods R are actuated to raise theassembled truss, and pistons 38 are actuated to hold the components intight abutment during the operation of fully embedding the teeth of allthe connector plates into the wood components. This is done by means ofa traveling or gantry roller press having two rollers straddling thetruss and the supporting frame.

The gantry press is indicated as a whole at 57 and has two verticalrollers 58 journaled in the top and bottom 4 plates 59 and 60 connectedto upright side bars 61. The frame includes side base frames 62 rollablysupported on pairs of wheels 63 spaced longitudinally of the trussframe, and adapted for rolling on the foundation 19.

The shafts 65 of the rollers 58 preferably have horizontal guide rolls66 at their bottom ends for rolling on the vertical flanges of angletrack rails 67. The means for driving the rollers 58 and maintaininginwardly directed pressure thereon as they roll over the truss connectorplates preferably comprises pairs of rubber tired drive wheels 68frictionally engaging the outer peripheries of the rollers 58. Each pairof drive wheels may be mounted on the shaft of an individual drive motor69 mounted on the top plate 59. The pressure rollers 58 are spaced aparta distance of 1% inches so that as the gantry passes over the assembledtruss, the teeth of the connector plates will be embedded into the woodcomponents with the plates in tight abutment with the wood, as indicatedin FIG. 10. As previously set forth, all of the supporting frame membersover which the rolls pass are 1 inches in thickness, so as not tointerfere with embedding the plates.

As the motors 69 drive the wheel 68 and rotate the rolls 58, theengagement of the rollers 66 with the tracks 67 will propel the gantryroller press longitudinally over the assembled truss, embedding theteeth thereof at all the joints, so that one pass will complete thetruss. The cylinders 37 are then actuated to release the top chords, thebeam lowered and the truss removed.

In the modified embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 12-17, thetrusses are assembled in right-side-up vertical position rather thaninverted as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11. The bottom chord 131 of thetruss is supported on longitudinally spaced backup pads which arecarried on a supporting beam 123 comprising two back-to-back channels170, spaced apart a distance of 1 /2 inches and supported on alongitudinal H beam 171 resting on the floor.

The backup pads 125 are longitudinally slidable between channels 170,and have upwardly projecting flanged screw studs 129 with spikes 130 forengaging the truss chord 131. The inclined support bars 132 forsupporting the upper chords 133 of the truss have their inner endshinged together at 132' and their outer ends 134 extending between thechannels 170. The outer ends 134 have a plurality of holes 135 foradjustably supporting the bars on transverse pins 136 extending betweenthe channels 170, to accommodate various spans and pitches of trusses.

Backup fluid cylinders 137 are carried on the bars 132, each cylinderbeing secured to the top of the bars by angle bars 172, and the piston138 of each cylinder having an outer flange 139 and a spike 140 on itslower end for engaging the truss chords 133. The backup cylinders 137are preferably slidable along the bars 132 and have flexible conduits148 for supplying pressure fluid. The overall transverse dimensions ofthe bars 132 and cylinders 137 are less than the 1% inches transversedimensions of the truss components.

The gantry roller press, indicated as a Whole at 157, has two verticalrollers 158 journaled in top plates 159 and spaced bottom plates 160connected to upright side frame members 161. Attached to the sidemembers 161 are base frames 162, each carrying a pair of longitudinallyspaced wheels 163 for rolling on the floor or foundation.

The shafts 165 of the rollers 158 preferably have horizontal rubbertired drive rolls 174 which engage the webs of channels and arechain-driven by vertical drive motors 169 mounted within the base frames162. The pressure rollers 158 are spaced apart a distance of 1% inchesso that as the gantry press passes over the truss the teeth of theconnector plates will be fully embedded into the wood.

The assembly of the truss components 131, 133 and and the rollers 158will fully embed the teeth of the.

plates at all the joints.

Suitable hoist means (not shown) may be provided for raising andlowering the hinged supporting bars 132, to aid in removing the finishedtruss.

It will be seen that a novel method for fabricating trusses is provided,requiring a minimum of floor space and affording a maximum amount ofaccessibility to all parts of the truss during fabrication. Since theassembled truss is supported in upright position with all of thesupporting parts having a transverse dimension of less than the trusscomponents, it is possible to fully embed the teeth of all connectorplates on opposite sides of the joints with a single pass of a pair ofpressure rolls. Moreover, adjustments can be made easily to fabricatetrusses of various spans and pitches.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of fabricating trusses having wood components connectedtogether in one plane by toothed connector plates on opposite sides ofeach truss joint, comprising the steps of:

supporting the bottom chord component in a horizontal position in avertical plane,

supporting the inclined top chord components in the same plane in properposition relative to said bottom chord, inserting the internal trusscomponents in the same plane between said bottom and top chordcomponents and tacking the connector plates on opposite sides of thejoints between all the truss components,

and simultaneously applying progressive rolling pressure to oppositesides of all the truss components to fully embed the connector platestherein.

2. The method defined in claim 1 in which pressure is applied in saidvertical plane to the assembled components to hold them in tightabutment, before applying the rolling pressure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,212,694 10/1965 Sanford 227-1523,255,943 6/1966 Sanford 227-152 BILLY J. WILHITE, Primary Examiner.

US. 01. X.R. 227-152

